Atom is one of the most popular and feature-rich source code editors for web developers. Originally, Atom was GitHub’s internal tool. Later, they decided to open-source it for the...
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It was 28 years ago that Fernando threw a no-hitter. I’m not feeling so well today. I’ll make this brief. Enjoy your Saturday, and your baseball, and we will write more this week about the happenings of the greatest game on earth. I’m going to go lay in the dark.
Home equity is a valued resource, and if you have it, you might be tempted to tap that wealth for other purposes. A home equity loan, which allows you to use your home’s equity as collateral, is a great way to do this. But depending on your personal situation, it may not be the right thing to do.
Here's when a home equity loan makes sense - and when it doesn’t.
Remember when homeowners yanked cash out of their homes to fund affluent lifestyles they couldn't really afford? These reckless borrowers, with their boats, fancy cars, lavish vacations and other luxury items, paid the price when the housing bubble burst. Property values plunged, and they lost their homes.
Lesson learned: Don't squander your equity! Look at a home equity loan as an investment - not as extra cash when making spending decisions.
The safest use of home equity funds is for home improvements that will add to the home's value. If you have a one-time project (e.g., a new roof), then a home equity loan might make sense.
If you need money over time to fund ongoing home improvement projects, then a home equity line of credit (HELOC) would make more sense. HELOCs let you pay as you go and usually have a variable rate that’s tied to the prime rate, plus or minus some percentage.
This is a no-brainer, but it's always worth reiterating: Basic expenses like groceries, clothing, utilities and phone bills should be a part of your household budget.
If your budget doesn’t cover these and you’re thinking of borrowing money to afford them, it’s time to rework your budget and cut some of the excess.
Consolidating multiple balances, including your high-interest credit card debts, will make perfect sense when you run the numbers. Who doesn't want to save potentially thousands of dollars in interest?
Debt consolidation will simplify your life, too, but beware: It only works if you have discipline. If you don't, you'll likely run all your balances back up again and end up in even worse shape.
If you have college-age children, this may seem like a great use of home equity. However, the potential consequences down the road could be significant. And risky.
Remember, tapping into your home equity may mean it takes longer to pay off the loan. It also may delay your retirement or put you even deeper in debt. And as you get older, it will likely be more difficult to earn the money to pay back the loan, so don't jeopardize your financial security.
Related:
Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow.
Originally published February 23, 2016.
The topic of Geek Estate Mastermind Newsletter #35 was Car Buying, and the VIP Buyer/Seller Real Estate Experience. For the first time since 2012, I’m a car owner again. I shared some observations from the car buying process, and added a real estate lens to the topic. At the end of the day, I believe the future of the real estate industry will revolve around delivering an unparalleled VIP experience. That’s the best, and only, differentiator there is against consumers choosing a friend or family member.
A few of the curated articles referenced:
Leica Geosystems and Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Team Up to Transform Taliesin West into an Immersive Online 3D Experience in Business Wire. Taliesin West is one of the most famous historic properties in the United States. HGTV has seemingly proved there is unlimited demand for seeing cool houses. I believe there’s an immense opportunity to drive consumer engagement with historical and unique architecture.
Travel brands need to rethink “local” if they want to engage customers in Tnooz. “Local” is, of course, a topic the real estate industry thinks about constantly. How do you showcase neighborhood schools, businesses, and amenities in an authentic way? It’s worth reading how the travel industry thinks about the topic of local, if for no other reason than it’ll make you realize local is a constantly moving target.
Here’s What The New Piccadilly Line Trains Will Look Like in Londonist. I’m always interested to learn more about the modernization of transit systems, and the £1.5bn contract will serve as an example other cities will surely follow.
As a reminder, the purpose of the Geek Estate Mastermind is two fold:
If you want to read the entire newsletter, and future weekly editions, please apply for a Mastermind membership below.
The post Geek Estate Mastermind Newsletter #35 – Car Buying, and the VIP Buyer/Seller Real Estate Experience appeared first on GeekEstate Blog.
Buyers and sellers often enter the market with misconceptions about real estate agents - how we work, how the process works and what the agency relationship is all about.
It’s helpful to point out, without getting too far into the weeds, that in any one real estate transaction, there are most likely two agents: one for the buyer and one for the seller.
Here are five myths (and five truths) about working with both buyer's and seller's agents.
Most people assume that their agent is pocketing the entire commission. That would be nice, but it’s just not accurate.
First, it's helpful to know that the seller pays the commission, and they split it four ways: between the two brokerages and the two agents.
Finally, the brokerage commission isn't fixed or set in stone, and sellers can sometimes negotiate it.
If you're a seller, you sign a contract with the real estate agent and their brokerage. That contract includes a term - typically six months to a year. Once you sign the agreement, you could, in fact, be "stuck" with their agent through the term. But that’s not always the case.
If things aren't working out, it's possible to ask the agent or the brokerage manager to release you from the agreement early.
Buyers are rarely under a contract. In fact, buyer's agents work for free until their clients find a home. It can be as quick as a month, or it can take up to a year or more. And sometimes a buyer never purchases a house, and the agent doesn't get paid.
Before jumping into an agent's car and asking them to play tour guide, consider a sit-down consultation or a call, and read their online reviews to see if they're the right fit.
Otherwise, start slow, and if you don't feel comfortable, let them know early on - it's more difficult to break up with your agent if too much time passes.
Today's buyers get most things on demand, from food to a ride to the airport. When it comes to real estate, buyers now assume they need only their smartphone to purchase a home, since most property listings live online.
First-time buyers or buyers new to an area don't know what they don't know, and they need an advocate.
The listing agent represents the seller's interests and has a fiduciary responsibility to negotiate the best price and terms for the seller. So, working directly with the selling agent presents a conflict of interest - in favor of the seller.
An excellent buyer's agent lives and breathes their local market. They've likely been inside and know the history of dozens of homes nearby. They're connected to the community, and they know the best inspectors, lenders, architects and attorneys.
They've facilitated many transactions, which means they know all the red flags and can tell you when to run away from (or toward) a home.
Many people think of “agent” as a generic term and that all agents are created equal.
A great local agent can make an incredible difference, so never settle. The right agent can save you time and money, keep you out of trouble and protect you.
Consider an agent who has lived and worked in the same town for ten years. They know the streets like the back of their hand. They have deep relationships with the other local agents. They have the inside track on upcoming deals and past transactions that can't be explained by looking at data online.
Compare that agent to one who's visiting an area for the first time and needs their GPS to get around. Some agents aren't forthright and might be more interested in making a sale. Many others care more about building a long-term relationship with you, because their business is based off referrals.
In a previous generation, sellers who wouldn't deal with any agents tried to sell their home directly to a buyer to save the commission.
Smart sellers understand that real estate is complicated and that most buyers have separate representation. And many FSBO sellers will offer payment to a buyer's agent as an incentive to bring their buyer clients to the home.
If you see an FSBO, don't be afraid to ask your agent to step in. Most of the time the seller will compensate them, and you can benefit from their knowledge and experience.
Related:
Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow.
Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com
At the end of a long day, all we want to do is relax in our comfort zone. However, a home with a dingy bathroom isn’t exactly what we have in mind when we think of comfort, right? Have a pristine, hotel-like bathroom by practicing these tips:
Photo by Dan Watson on Unsplash
Keep your sink from getting scratched
Avoid abrasive cleaners, which can scratch your sink. Those scratches become magnets for grease, soap scum and dirt. Scrubbing the sink with a solution of 1 tablespoon ammonia to 1 gallon of water will dissolve them and bring back your sink’s shine. A solution of 1 teaspoon of trisodium phosphate to a gallon of water effectively removes grease and soap scum build up as well. Also known as TSP, trisodium phosphate, a degreasing agent, can be found at most hardware stores in white powder form. Source: HomeGuides.SFGate
Maintain a clean sink
Regularly wash your sink with soap and water. You can prevent dirt and stains from building up in the first place by gently washing your sink after every use. Use a little dish soap and a soft, non-abrasive sponge, and rinse thoroughly with clean water. Source: WikiHow
Remove stains right away
De-stain surfaces with lemon juice. We’ve got a sure remedy for stained sinks: Erase those spots with a paste made of one-half cup of powdered borax and the juice of one-half lemon. Dab a sponge in the mixture, rub, and rinse with running water—it’ll work like a charm whether your sink is made of porcelain enamel, stainless steel, or any other material.
Get rid of mineral deposits
Use vinegar on your lime. The white spots that you have so much trouble cleaning off the faucets are lime deposits from mineral-rich hard water. They’re very easy to remove with a secret ingredient that’s already in your pantry: vinegar. Soak a paper towel in vinegar, and wrap the towel around the spotted area. Wait 10 minutes and then buff with a dry paper towel. This works well on all fixtures except brass or colored fixtures; using vinegar on these surfaces may discolor them. Source: RD
Our selection of trendy ceramic sinks will surely fit your budget and needs. Take a look and call us if you need any assistance.
Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com
The post Simple Care Tips for the Bathroom Sink appeared first on Perfect Bath Canada.
Roofing materials are pricey, which is why it’s best that you take care of your roof, so you can maximize its worth. One way to ensure that its quality will last is to have the roof inspected. Find out more information about this as you read on:
Why Do It?
Regular roof inspections can help identify issues prior to them becoming potentially major problems. It may be easier to fix these smaller issues now, which may save you time and money in the long run.
How Often?
Typically, your roof should be inspected at least once a year, according to Zillow. However, you should check your roof after any extreme weather event, like hail, snow or wind, and look for any interior leaks, says Zillow. Because all roofs are different, it’s important to consult a professional to know what to inspect and how often. Source: Blog.AllState
Where to inspect?
Here’s what to look for:
– Cracked caulk or rust spots on flashing.
– Shingles that are buckling, curling, or blistering.
– Missing or broken shingles.
– Cracked and worn rubber boots around vent pipes.
– Missing or damaged chimney cap. (OK, that’s technically not part of your roof, but since you’re looking anyway.)
– Masses of moss and lichen, which could signal the roof is decaying underneath. Black algae stains are just cosmetic.
If you find piles of colored grit from asphalt roof tiles in the gutters, that’s a bad sign — those sand-like granules cover the surface of roof shingles and shield them from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays. Check the age of your roofing and see if it’s nearing the end of its life cycle. Source: HouseLogic
Should you hire a contractor to inspect your roof?
There are a couple of reasons to consider hiring an expert roofing contractor. For one thing, climbing a ladder and getting on a roof can be dangerous. For another, there could be subtle signs of problems that only an expert would notice.
However, it pays to beware of roofing scams. You want to be sure to hire an established, reputable and reliable roofing inspector. Before agreeing to any suggested roofing work, be sure to do your hiring homework. Source: AngiesList
We’ve been in the roofing business for more than 55 years. Not only that, we also cover any problem that may involve home repair, drainage, and more. Call us for a free estimate!
Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8279 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4W1
(604) 360-2114
Alright, so it was really spoiled by Dave Roberts. Walker Buehler returned from his DL stint – and Roberts opted to let him relieve an effective Kershaw after five innings and in-effect let him rehab against the Chicago Cubs.
Just about the time I was saying to myself that the Dodgers were really about to accomplish something and take three of four against the Cubs, things went bad in a hurry.
In the end it was an 11-5 loss. Max Muncy homered again, his 17th to lead the team. And this is officially just like when Charlie Blackmon broke out about five years ago. Feels the exact same, is the same. He’s not going away folks. He will hit all year long.
The Dodgers are 43-36, which is disappointing because they really could have swept the Cubs with a few different bounces. And after last night’s huge win – I was barely able to savor it with a matinee defeat.
This was a mortal lock for Thursday.
Thames has 13 home runs in 20 career games against the Reds, and it seems like a helluva lot more than that. The Thames monster is a lot of fun. When he’s playing Cincinnati, it’s a human highlight reel.
He’s one of the biggest Reds killers of all-time already, in just a season and a half.
“The Big Cat” Jesus Aguilar also hit his 19th of the year (he’s also a lot of fun).
Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com
Are you finding it difficult to remove ring stains in your toilet? With the following ingredients, you’ll have plenty of effective solutions to choose from.
Image Source: Flickr
Coca-Cola
Get rid of stubborn toilet bowl stains with a 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola. Pour the full can around the rim of your toilet so it coats the toilet bowl and let the soda sit for an hour. The acid in the Coca-Cola will break down the stains. After an hour, scrub the bowl with a toilet brush and flush. Source: BrightNest
Vinegar
Most people reach for bleach to obliterate toilet germs and stains. However, Green living expert Mark Lallanilla says that plain old white vinegar is not only an effective cleaner, but also safer than chlorine bleach. To eliminate hard water stains, soak toilet paper in vinegar and place directly on top of the stain. Let the vinegar-soaked paper sit overnight. The next morning, flush to rinse and the stains should be gone.
Lallanilla says that full-strength vinegar also works great on grout and caulk. Use a spray bottle to saturate the area and let it soak in for at least an hour before rinsing. Source: TheSpruce
Water softener
Often times stubborn toilet bowl rings are directly the result of hard water deposits. While you can always take some time to clean the ring after it appears, it is usually better to stop the problem from ever forming in the first place. If you can afford to do it, install a water softener in your home and have it maintained properly. This should reduce a large number of water related problems not just in the bathroom, but throughout the rest of the house as well. Source: Cleaning.Tips
Borax powder
Borax powder is a very powerful cleaning agent that’s not found in a supermarket, but in a hardware store. Shut the water supply to the toilet tank and empty the bowl by flushing it once. Sprinkle the powder directly on the stains and rub them with a toilet brush. After scrubbing, let the powder sit for thirty minutes. Then reconnect the water supply to the tank and flush the toilet. Source: Home.HowStuffWork
Why not replace your toilet with top-of-the-line quality and design that still fits your budget? Choose from the ones we have on our website or call us for assistance!
Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com
The post Cleaning Tips for Stubborn Toilet Stains appeared first on Perfect Bath Canada.
No one would believe it – but the 2018 Dodgers story is playing out night by night in Los Angeles to be almost as magical as 2017 became.
Max Muncy, Joc Pederson, and Cody Bellinger all homered to power the Boys in Blue to a 7-5 win over the Chicago Cubs. Muncy’s herculean blast to center bounced back in play and conked Albert Almora in the head.
The Dodgers have hit 51 home runs in June. They have several more games this week to break the record of 53; set last June by the 2017 Dodgers.
In June, Joc Pederson has homered 10 times. Max Muncy has come from relative obscurity for nine of his own. And Cody Bellinger has now gone deep 8 times to tie Muncy for the team lead of 16.
Here’s Bellinger’s 16th of the year, this served as an insurance run in the 7-5 final that would hold up for good.
The Dodgers received seven innings from Alex Wood – and if you watched the start he was as good as he’s been all year long. He struck out six, and allowed just three earned runs. He didn’t walk a single Cubs hitter.
I continue saying to myself that Max Muncy isn’t really serious with this – the 1.000 OPS on the season. Every night, it’s becoming more evident that this guy is for real. This isn’t going away anytime soon.
The Dodgers go for the series win tomorrow with Clayton Kershaw on the hill in a matinee.
Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com
The bathroom may be the smallest room in your house, but it does not mean you can’t have a stylish and classy space. You can have it designed with new showers and bathtubs as well as tiles. Contact professionals and get ideas on various choices. Give your bathroom a modern look following below ideas:
There is so much fun in designing the bathroom. If you are looking for a bathtub and shower, visit showersly.com/best-freestanding-tubs-reviews and choose what suits your budget. A bathtub is a good idea to give your bathroom a modern look. It adds luxury to the household and it can be a place to keep warm during the cold seasons.
You will need mirrors to make sure you clean your whole body properly before stepping out of your bathroom. Consider framing the mirror and sticking it on the bathroom walls. Mastic adhesive can be used to install a tile frame around it. You can also go for creative wooden frames or molding or have one customized for you. Add sconces to both sides of the mirror to brighten the space and remove shadows when looking into the mirror.
There are different tile designs that will give your bathroom a beautiful look. Go for wall tiles that are long lasting, easy to clean and mold resistance. Give your bathroom floor a rough, colorful texture to avoid falls on slippery tiles. Do not overlook the aspect of safety, especially in homes with small children and older individuals. Safety and function should go together.
You will need space for your bathroom. Your modern family bathroom will want to have ample storage. Install shelving units and fixtures that are well suited to bathroom. No matter the size of the bathroom, you can make it stylish by choosing accessories and features that compliment your colors. Having storage is an important component of keeping your modern family bathroom neat and well organized. You can make a trendy modern family bathroom design in any room no matter what the size or shape.
What’s the best paint to use? Semi-gloss paint is a great choice because you can easily wipe down markings and stains e.g. from dirty/oily hands. This is important, especially if you have children, or someone working a ‘dirty’ job. If you use flat paint, the frequent wiping will cause the paint to chip, requiring a repaint soon after. In addition, semi-gloss paint has reflective qualities, and can help to boost your lighting, making the room warmer. Choose paints with that give your bathroom a smooth touch.
You can keep your bathroom looking good and modern by giving it a touch of class when remodeling it. It will save you some money if you plan on what to purchase for your bathroom as well. Make a budget and stick to it. Work on the cost of materials and labor and give your bathroom that wow look. It is very possible to give your bathroom a modern and trendy appearance without breaking the bank. Plan well and enjoy your baths.
Contributed by: Perfectbath.com Foremost experts in Bathroom design and Bathroom fixtures.
The post Bathroom Ideas for the Modern Family appeared first on Perfect Bath Canada.
Places, a new social network, got written up in Inman. Have a look at their home page:
Notice anything?
I did. There is no primary value proposition. What problem would I use this product to alleviate, and why? I’m left wondering on both questions.
Was this a premature product launch? I’d say so.
The post Places’ Lack of Value Proposition appeared first on GeekEstate Blog.
I’ve written about category kings before: it’s what every startup should be striving for.
There’s one unquestioned “Category King” in real estate. Among real estate portals (in the US), the clear, runaway king is Zillow Group.
There will be “Category Kings” of various segments of the industry, and I think we’re seeing one of them emerge.
Imprev, in marketing automation.
The Imprev platform already powers the marketing centers for hundreds of brokerages and franchises—representing over 20% of real estate agents in North America—including RE/MAX, Coldwell Banker, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Corcoran Group, NextHome, Realty World, and Hunt Real Estate, as well as Homes.com and MRIS.
You may have seen the recent Imprev partnership with NextHome, a real estate franchise with 290 offices and over 2,400 agents. The company also owns the Realty World Northern California & Northern Nevada franchise networks, collectively controlling over 400 offices and more than 3,000 agents. The company closes over 14,000 transactions annually worth over $4.6B in volume, and is more often than not one of the companies in contention when brokers/agents are considering a change of brokerage (see here).
In the press release, James Dwiggins, the NextHome CEO, says “We’re Raising the Bar in Real Estate Marketing”. That obviously implies that Imprev’s platform is helping facilitating that. To me, the Nexthome deal marks a major notch in Imprev’s quest toward domination of marketing automation in the real estate industry.
Founded in 2001, Imprev is an example of a company that remains in the slow and steady wins the race camp. That’s my type of business. They aren’t flashy. They don’t overpromise. They don’t care if they are on stage. They plug away with improving their product and increasing their sales one day at a time. Every single day, month after month. Year after year. I’ve known their CEO, Renwick Congdon, for quite a few years (see his meet the RE tech entrepreneur interview from last year). He’s a class act. We’re fortunate to have him as a founding member of the Geek Estate Mastermind. I had the pleasure to ask him a few questions to dig more into their recent work and where he sees the industry heading.
What’s Your most significant business focus for 2018?
Helping brokerages and franchises build stronger relationships with their agents through marketing automation. Marketing automation helps the broker act as a “marketing guide” for their agents and systematizes best practices to make everyone more successful. This is a key service where the broker can offer tangible value to their agents. For example, marketing a luxury home in Los Angeles requires different steps and workflows than a starter home in Indiana. The broker has the benefit of looking at all the company’s listings and pinpointing trends, successes, and failures, then using that knowledge to automatically recommend the next best steps to not only market a new listing, but to use that marketing to generate more business. That type of support is powerful!
When did you originally realize marketing automation was where the company would make its mark, and what’s been the hardest part of fulfilling your vision?
Since 1992 when I wrote my first marketing software program—before I started Imprev—I’ve had the vision of handing real estate agents all the marketing materials they need to promote a listing and their business. The hardest part has been waiting for technology to catch up. When I started Imprev in 2000, our technology was able to deliver functionality that few other companies could match. Agents could create all their materials, from flyers to flash multi-media, within a very easy user interface, and they had access to hundreds of professionally-designed templates.
In 2015 we felt the technology to create all the design work for agents automatically was ready for scale. We launched our first client on automation, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, REALTORS®, and haven’t slowed down since. Today we have 212,000 agents experiencing marketing automation and are generating millions of pieces of marketing across print, digital, social and video.
What’s next for marketing automation?
Continuing to help brokerages and agents generate more business from the listings they already have on a larger scale. Opportunities include leveraging the vast amounts of data out there to automate hyperlocal marketing for agents. I find that idea really interesting. The portals have a tight grip on the consumer right now; how can we change that and give some of the power back to brokerages? I believe that automation—used correctly—will bring agents and brokers closer to the consumer. Every day we’re expanding the scale of what automation can handle.
What real estate technology trend or product are you most excited about?
Artificial intelligence. I see AI as telling the computer the rules, and letting it figure out the options, versus machine learning, which just shows the computer a bunch of experiences that it can choose from.
What do you like about being a Geek Estate Mastermind member?
Connecting with really smart people about cutting-edge topics. Drew brings up subjects that are so far advanced; it’s a great reminder to keep an eye on the future and make sure we’re prepared for the next big thing.
Congratulations, Renwick and Imprev. Welcome to the throne as the category king for marketing automation in the real estate vertical.
[Graphic via https://www.colourbox.com]
The post Category Kings, Marketing Automation, and a Founding Member Interview appeared first on GeekEstate Blog.
Athletic field management is a never ending job for many Athletic Directors. Have you ever wondered what goes into managing your kid’s Little League or high school fields? Here are some great athletic field management tips for the professionals out there looking for some help.
Soil oxygen, moisture, basic fertility and seeding are all critical components for increasing turf density on athletic fields. If your soil test indicates that the pH, phosphorus, potassium, organic matter & CEC are within guidelines you are in good shape. Should any of these items be off, adjust your program to amend the soil over time. If the soil test indicates conditions are extremely poor, you may need to do things sooner.
You should take a soil test every 3-4 years. Starting in Late August – early September start biweekly overseeding the high use areas. We prefer straight, blue tag, turf type tall fescues (TTTF) with highly rated varieties for our area. You can use 50 lbs. per field, per service and “feed the chickens.” I have had field managers say they thought I was crazy before they saw the results. Now they overseed all the time.
Now we need air! After your fall sports schedule ends, we recommend double-pass aeration & slice seeding. In Late May thru early September we also like to Vertiquake (decompact) to 6” to increase the oxygen level to the roots and increase drainage. This has very little impact on the playing surface so it will have little (if any) effect on playability of the field. Remember that if the soil oxygen level is less than 10% your turf will begin to suffer, and so will the high use areas of your fields.
Topdressing is an important part of increasing the soil biology and helps to smooth out the playing surface. We prefer to use a 50/50, screened soil/compost mix during the slice seeding.
Fall overseeding is critical in keeping your turf density high. So, go out there and “feed the chickens!”
As we move away from synthetic fertilizers and use less herbicides and pesticides it becomes more important to increase the soil biology. Active soil biology is essential to sustain plant life. Healthy soil is full of life where organic matter and nutrients are recycled. The importance of keeping the organic matter and oxygen levels up in your soil can’t be overstated. That’s why we topdress and aerate to increase the soil life that provides the nutrients to the turf.
We have finished our third year using our Soil Smart program on residential lawns and a few athletic fields. The results are impressive considering we’re using 75% less pesticides. The Soil Smart program adds biology in the form of bacteria & fungi to the soil profile. This helps to break down organic material and produces nutrients in the root zone. We expect to continue to expand our Soil Smart program into athletic fields as there is more pressure to become more sustainable while increasing the turf density by improving the soil profile.
Low spots must be a high priorityThe goal of every sportsturf manager is to have smooth, safe surfaces for play. Athletic fields are dynamic and constantly change due to activity pressure, weather, drainage, disease and damage. It’s important to address deviations on the field, low or high, that will affect play and, more importantly, safety.
Ballfield lips should be addressed every fall. Goal areas should be renovated by rototilling, adding soil, seed & fertilizer and covered with a grow tarp in November. Worn areas should be topdressed with a soil/compost mix, seeded and strawed if necessary.
In early spring, try to get your fields mowed to even them out after the winter growth. This is especially true for the ballfields. Many times these spots get ignored until a player goes down and their parents are there. Then the phone calls begin. So, talk to the guys who mow to help identify these areas and get them repaired.
While there are many benefits of irrigating athletic fields, there are also caveats to understand.
The benefits are obvious in being able to water in fertilizers or before or after a pesticide or herbicide application. Reducing hardness and cooling the turf are important as well. Irrigating areas after seeding can speed up germination. Watering in infield mix prior to a game on a ballfield makes the infield more playable.
The amount of water and the timing are the foundation of most of the issues with irrigation. Watering too frequently can cause shallow root growth, leeching of nutrients, and can increase weeds and diseases. Overwatering can also cause micronutrients like calcium & magnesium to build up to levels that cause compaction and turf nutrient uptake issues.
So, when do I water, Mr. Wizard? Start early in the morning (3-4 AM). On northeast clay-based fields, if you can pull a 3-4” plug with a soil probe, chances are there’s enough moisture. During hot & dry periods you can consider adding ¾” to 1” of water each service. Maybe two times per week. Be brave and resist watering every day using small amounts. Think deep and infrequent watering.
Few athletic fields have only one species and most have many species and multiple cultivars within that species. Sometimes managing fields with many species and cultivars can be like herding cats.
Weather and fertility will affect species and cultivars differently making your field look like a mosaic. On fields like these my thinking involves establishing basic fertility. Then you need to choose the best species and cultivars to slice seed and overseed on these fields.
In central PA it will involve turf type tall fescue (TTTF) or perennial ryegrass. About 5 years ago I switched the fields I help to manage to slice seeding with TTTF and have never questioned that decision. While perennial rye will germinate a few days faster and will mature a few weeks faster than TTTF, most all other characteristics favor TTTF. Darwinism may tell you that natural selection will take over and the stronger will survive. While that may hold true for a home lawn it is less viable on an athletic field undergoing wear and stress.
So, it becomes inherent to the turf manager to reintroduce the species and cultivars that work on his fields. This normally takes place starting in late August with over seeding and ends with aeration and slice seeding at the close of fall sports. After 3-4 years of seeding the preferred species your field will become easier to manage and more playable for your teams.
If you’d like to learn more about how to care for an athletic field you manage, please Contact Us.
The post Athletic Field Management appeared first on Tomlinson Bomberger.
Aaron Judge continues to be one of the most enjoyable young stars in the game. Tonight, he hit home run number 20 in Philadelphia. It was his 75th career blast. It should be documented here, somewhere. And so, it is.
It came in the 5th inning off Vincent Velasquez and put the Yankees up 2-0. It was all the Yankees would need, getting five-plus shutout innings off Jon Loaisiga, who improved to 2-0 in two starts.
Whenever the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers hook up, it’s appointment baseball viewing. The Dodgers opened a nice 10-game homestand with a 2-1 win over the Cubs and a pitcher making his big league debut on Monday night.
The Dodgers move to a formidable 42-35 on the year, and are starting to feel very formidable.
The Dodgers hit June home runs number 47 and 48 on Monday night. Kikè Hernandez hit his 13th of the season – which is impressive in it’s own right. Chris Taylor pinch-hit in the bottom of the eighth inning and homered to dead center to represent both of the Dodgers home runs via the home run. This is a downright scary lineup right now. On nights where you avoid the teeth of Joc Pederson, Matt Kemp, Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner, Max Muncy, and Yasiel Puig; there are still guys in the lineup that can hurt you with power. Teams must be shaking their heads right now when trying to beat these guys. You hold the Dodgers to two runs in their home park when they’re red-hot, and you come up short.
Maeda was beyond awesome. In seven innings, he didn’t allow a run and struck out nine Cubs hitters.
Maeda is 5-4 on the year with a 3.44 ERA. He also has 80 strikeouts in 68 innings pitched. He’s a really impressive arm to be able to run out there on a night when you can’t go to a Kershaw, Stripling, Hill, Wood, or Buehler. The Dodgers have rotation depth right now; which is one of the things making them as scary as anyone in the National League once again. Maeda’s impressive start shows he’s feeling well physically, which bodes really well for Los Angeles moving forward.
The Dodgers picked up a game on the Arizona Diamondbacks who lost in Miami. Cody Bellinger went 1 for 3 with a double, raising his average to .240 on the year. His slugging percentage of .491 is slowly creeping into the .500s where it needs to be. Justin Turner added two hits on a night where the Dodgers had just five total. Kenley Jansen converted his 19th straight save despite giving up a run in the ninth inning.
Implementing new technology in the real estate and mortgage industries has been a relatively slow process when compared to other industries. In recent years, however, things have started to change with the move toward online listings coupled with mobile technology that is speeding up the home-purchase process.
Yet, even with this there is still so much opportunity for disruption in the real estate industry specifically.
One of the key components of that is Blockchain technology. When people hear Blockchain, they automatically think of cryptocurrencies, primarily Bitcoin. This isn’t a discussion about cryptocurrencies, however, this is about what is known as distributed ledger technology. Essentially, Blockchain ledger technology allows for a secure method for carrying out transactions and contracts. It is often referred to as a digital way to keep records and verify those records because of the way it is built (blocked chunks of data that are encoded). And not only that, this kind of technology has the capability of securely sharing data across massive networks, which makes real estate transactions the problem and solution to solve.
When it comes to the real estate industry specifically, Blockchain could alleviate a lot of the defragmentation that takes place within the MLS system. Let’s face it, with so many agents and listings managed within the MLS structure, the ability to share up-to-date information has become a real problem, especially when you consider how the modern consumer expects their purchases to be. As a matter of fact, the structures and systems created to manage real estate transactions need to be rebuilt, or replaced, to continue to deliver a transparent, seamless and secure process that the customers of today expect.
Moreover, the complex network of the real estate transaction process includes such parties as a seller, seller’s listing agent, buyer, buyer’s agent, broker, buyer’s lender, escrow officer, title officer, appraiser, insurance agent, inspector and notary. That includes, but isn’t limited to:
With so many stakeholders, paperwork and processes taking place throughout, it is no wonder things can get bogged down or impossible to manage.
Blockchain could solve that problem by centralizing all of the real estate data and making it secure, accessible and scalable. Instances have included managing virtual land and facilitating fractional ownership. Thus, Blockchain could take the current convoluted process and become an application for Blockchain. That would absolutely change the game.
Another way Blockchain could enhance the real estate industry is by turning real estate assets into a digital “token” of sorts.
A new startup is doing just that. It is called Harbor, and it is a compliance platform for “tokenizing” private securities, such as real estate rights into a digital token on a Blockchain. In other words, the company’s “Regulated Token” takes a real estate asset and transforms it into a digital representation. This allows for the sale of such an asset to happen much quicker than it has traditionally.
Forbes breaks it down this way:
Harbor aims to take hard-to-trade assets like real estate and private equity and use Blockchain technology to turn them into tokenized securities that comply with SEC regulations. For example, let’s say an investor group wants to create a private real estate investment trust (REIT)—a company that owns income-generating real estate. In launching their business, “95% of what they do remains the same as it was,” CEO Josh Stein says. “They find a property, form an investment thesis, run an analysis and do marketing.” The difference comes in how regulatory information is stored and securitized.
So, the technology is out there. It is up to today’s real estate companies to invest in the future in order for them to be better prepared to serve the modern buyer in the ways they expect to be served. By partnering with startups like Harbor, I believe many real estate and mortgage companies can use Blockchain to solve much of the fragmentation in real estate transactions that plagued the industry for years.
Not only that, transparency will increase among all the stakeholders in a real estate transaction if all of the data is readily available and up-to-date.
The bottom line is that the MLS system is likely approaching a point of becoming obsolete. It is up to the forward-thinking real estate companies to realize this and replace such an outdated platform with what technology is currently available.
The post Blockchain Ledger Technology and the Future of Real Estate Transactions appeared first on GeekEstate Blog.
In our latest real estate tech entrepreneur interview, we’re speaking with Tom Owen, co-founder of Home Bay. He has a long industry track record, and we’re glad to have him as a recent addition to the Geek Estate Mastermind.
Without further ado…
What do you do?
I am the co-founder of Home Bay. I mostly work on product. Formerly I co-founded Zurple, and I still own a traditional real estate brokerage in Coronado, California, called Owen Properties.
What problem does your product/service solve?
Home Bay uses a combination of technology and processes to greatly reduce the amount of Realtor time necessary to facilitate a sale. To supplement those technology and processes, we have a team of highly experienced brokers who answer consumer and agent questions from a centralized location. The above creates large cost savings that we pass on to consumers. For real estate listings, we generally charge $2000 to $3500 to facilitate a sale. On the buy-side, we rebate back half of the commission.
There are thus two key pain points Home Bay solves:
What are you most excited about right now?
I am most excited about the ability of our software to coach home sellers through an offer, 24/7. Our database is programmed at the zip code level, and it can literally comment on offers in real time based on the local real estate norms.
For example, if a buyer in Houston at the $200,000 price point asks for a $1,000 home warranty, the software will inform the seller that the buyer is overreaching and suggest an appropriate amount for the price point and zip code. This AI-based real estate coaching exists for all major aspects of an offer.
What’s next for you?
We recently launched in Houston and now cover California, Florida, Georgia and Illinois. We are in the process of expanding our footprint beyond Houston homes for sale to cover all of Texas and launching in Colorado. We hope to cover most of the United States over the course of the next 18 months. We are also spending a lot of time enhancing our buyer search experience.
What’s a cause you’re passionate about and why?
I am passionate about politics. I formerly worked in the White House Speechwriting Office in the Clinton administration, and the political bug never left me. For the last 12 years, I have spent approximately 6 weeks a year living in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. I keenly follow international politics, particularly as they relate to Mexico.
Thanks to Tom for sharing his story. If you’d like to connect, find him on LinkedIn here.
We’re constantly looking for great real estate tech entrepreneurs to feature. If that’s you, please read this post — then drop me a line (drew @ geekestatelabs dot com).
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It’s a Summer Saturday and the Dodgers are in the Big Apple. Clayton Kershaw is back today. Life isn’t perfect but I get to watch some baseball with my dad and my son today. That’s all you can really ask for.
Your 1980s song of the week that should be played on a ballpark loudspeaker near you is by Rick Springfield.
Enjoy your Saturday. Thank you for your continued support of Diamond Hoggers. We love baseball, and there’s no better day for it than a summer Saturday.
It’s now been 3.5 months since we launched our company Grid Consulting, it’s been an awesome whirlwind of successes, new challenges, and emotional peaks and valleys. We’ve created a fairly large network to distribute our content to in a short period of time and have successfully launched an Instagram, Facebook Biz Page, Facebook Private Group for Real Estate Discussion, Podcast distributed on 4 networks, Youtube Channel, Linkedin Page, and our website. We’ve also partnered with wonderful, forward-thinking brokers, team leaders, and agents to help with the next evolution of their business. Our focus with these partnerships: workflows, operations, and margin expansion (aka make more money!). Lastly, we’re working on our secret behind the scenes projects that we’re incredibly excited about.
So..what have have we learned since going out on our own? Here are some musings:
Positives and Challenges: It’s incredibly hard, but don’t let the doubt defeat you!
Positives and Challenges: The psychological warfare is real
Positives and Challenges: Your Sphere of Influence and their support
Positives and Challenges: Lack of brand awareness
Positives and Challenges: Small team size
Positives and Challenges: Change in income
Positives and Challenges: Office Space
It’s been an incredible journey thus far. There are peaks, valleys, doubters, supporters, haters, and lots of learnings along the way. The key is to stay grounded and focus on the long term outlook of what you’re trying to accomplish. Consistently communicate with your team and create road maps that everyone is aligned on. There are so many moments where you’ll be tested, but that my friend, is the beauty in building. Testing yourself is a learning experience that will allow you to be that much better the next time you’re faced with a similar situation. Life, business, careers, and relationships are cyclical, the same experiences will come at you in different forms throughout the entirety of your life. The more frequently you test and challenge yourself, the easier it will be the next time you’re faced with the same circle.
The post 3.5 Months into Our Startup ~ Lessons, Learnings, Commentary, and All Sorts of Thoughts appeared first on GeekEstate Blog.
[Note from editor: originally published on AEC Labs]
A recent article in the UK’s Construction News publication (also picked up nationally here in the US by Bisnow) suggests that Amazon is “reinventing” the construction and real estate development markets thanks to its incredible growth, both in the US and abroad.
But what, specifically, does that mean? And should construction industry stakeholders feel “emboldened” or “threatened” by Amazon’s disruptive tactics? We have some thoughts to share on that assessment here at AEC Labs that should be of interest, and import, for AEC stakeholders who are keeping tabs on what the growth of tech giants like Amazon, WeWork, Google and others could mean for their business models here in 2018 and beyond.
But perhaps what’s most interesting (or frightening, depending on your perspective as an AEC stakeholder) is a prediction from US-based retail analyst Neil Saunders of GlobalData that Amazon could ultimately try and target the construction and real estate sectors themselves.
“If Amazon ramps up physical expansion, I can see this happening. Amazon likes to vertically integrate aspects of its operation, such as delivery, so it is possible that it will create its own construction and development team. At the very least, the team might focus on the refurbishment of Whole Foods stores, but when you add warehouse expansion, new shops and offices into the mix, then there is the volume necessary to support such a team.”
Analysis from AEC Labs
So could Amazon eventually launch a real estate development and construction operation that tries to compete with Katerra or WeWork? Perhaps. No market seems beyond the behemoth’s reach, and more generally nobody should feel safe in their competitive position in our tech-driven, 21st century economy. And in some ways the company has already made a foray into the landlord space – its marketplace business allows third-party sellers to store their inventory in Amazon fulfillment centers.
But, much like how AWS launched after the legacy retail e-commerce business outgrew its traditional server space, it’s not inconceivable to think that as the company’s internal construction and development teams grow more sophisticated, Amazon could see value in providing their services to third parties. And, as the company continues to expand into brick and mortar retail with its Whole Foods acquisition and launching more Amazon Go stores, there is no reason why it couldn’t vertically integrate itself into a full-service design, development, and real estate player, providing fully kitted out retail storefronts. (This wouldn’t be the first time it competed with itself either – when Jeff Bezos made the decision to open up the Amazon.com platform to third parties (like Ebay), many pundits scratched their heads.)
In any event, there are many reasons to keep an eye on Amazon, and AEC innovation is just one of them. We’ll be paying close attention to this space during the rest of 2018, particularly as more Amazon Go stores roll out across the country.
[Note from editor: originally published on AEC Labs]
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In our latest real estate tech founder interview, we’re speaking with Brian Bair from Offerpad. He’s the co-founder and co-CEO of Offerpad, as well as has a background as a licensed real estate agent. Brian previously served as co-founder and managing partner of Lexington Financial, LLC and Bridgeport Financial Services LLC, one of the largest acquisition and sales companies in the Southwest.
Offerpad is one of the most well known and funded iBuyer startups, offering buyers increased control and certainty. They recently announced a major re-brand, as well as $150 million in new funding.
Without further ado…
What do you do?
I am the co-CEO and co-founder at Offerpad. We are based in Arizona, and available in eight total markets at the moment. Our company works directly with consumers to help eliminate the stress of selling and buying a home. People can request an offer on their home by entering in their property address to our website, upload photos and important details on their home, and within 24-hours we will send an offer for review.
After accepting the offer, the homeowner selects their closing date, whether that is within 10 days or 80+ days, we will work with them to align with their schedule. Customers that are looking for an immediate move, on average are selecting 22-days to close.
I manage a lot of the day-to-day operations and have an amazing team that executes against our strategy. A lot of our business model stemmed from my years as a top-realtor. I saw a lot of pain points that my clients dealt with and I knew there was a better solution we could provide.
What problem does your product/service solve?
Consumers can take on an enormous amount of stress when selling a home. The questions of when I should sell my home, how much can I actually get for it, will I need to renovate it before putting it on the market, how long will it sit there and what double expenses may I incur, is part of the uncertainty one may face.
OfferPad can help eliminate that stress, plus more. Our customers don’t need to worry about showing their home and finding movers – we can on that responsibility and the others mentioned above.
In fact, our customers select their closing date. This allows them to sit behind the driver’s seat during the process and guide a timeline that works best for their schedule.
What are you most excited about right now? What’s next for you?
The opportunities for the real estate industry to change are enormous. We are so excited about the opportunity to continue expanding our offerings and grow into other markets. We are passionate about real estate and being the solution that people turn to, allowing them to move freely.
What’s a cause you’re passionate about and why?
I am passionate about people. Everyday people are struggling with very different situations in their life. It could be someone devastated with a cancer diagnosis, a sick child, an elderly person alone, a family going thru financial problems, people dealing with the struggle of making the most out of their life. There are times that I think we all make a mistake of getting so “life busy” and not stopping to help someone in need. Many people are dealt such challenging situation and I am always so amazed of how strong people are. Overall, I value and love people. I believe people are good, people are caring, people are kind. I want people to succeed so we can all live a happier life!
Thanks to Brian for sharing his story. If you’d like to connect, find him on LinkedIn here.
We’re constantly looking for great real estate tech entrepreneurs to feature. If that’s you, please read this post — then drop me a line (drew @ geekestatelabs dot com).
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